Backpacking Trips

Start planning your next big backpacking adventure with our detailed guides featuring long and short-distance backpacking trip ideas around the world. Whether you’re heading out on the trail for a few days or a few months our backpacking blog posts will help you plan a perfect trip under the stars.

View of Havasu Falls from above with waterfall cascading into turquoise blue water surrounded by red rock cliffs

Havasu Falls Hike: Your Complete Trail Guide (with map!)

Havasu Falls

How to Get a Havasu Falls Permit: My Step-by-Step Guide

Kristen Bor sitting on the edge of Mooney Falls next to the camping at Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls Camping: Must-Know Planning Tips

Hiker on the Four Pass Loop trail with mountains in the distance.

Backpacking the Four Pass Loop in Colorado’s Maroon Bells: Permits, Itineraries, And More!

A woman smiles on the Trans Catalina Trail in California. She's wearing the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie and Oboz hiking boots

Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail: Permits, Itineraries, Gear and More

Three backpackers on the trail of Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming

How To Backpack Cirque of the Towers in Wyoming (+ Itinerary!)

Backpacker on High Divide Trail on Olympic Peninsula's Seven Lakes Basin Loop

Backpacking the High Divide Trail (Seven Lakes Basin Loop) in Olympic National Park

A man stands on a rocky ledge next to a lake. He's backpacking the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range in Wyoming

6 Best Wind River Range Backpacking Trails

Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park surrounded by tall peaks with patches of snow

Wyoming Hiking Guide: 10 Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trails

Reflection Canyon in Utah

10 Best Utah Backpacking Trips

Planning to hike the John Muir Trail? Get organized and simplify your preparation with this step-by-step John Muir Trail Planning Guide.

Ultimate John Muir Trail Planning Guide (2024)

a tent set up near Palisade Crest on the John Muir Trail

3 Week John Muir Trail Itinerary

Fifty Foot Falls at Havasupai

5 Amazing Waterfalls of Havasupai

Camping tips for beginner car camping, including a packing list, what to wear, and recipes to cook up at your camp kitchen

15 Best John Muir Trail Campsites

Little Valley Lakes on the John Muir Trail

John Muir Trail Transportation Guide & Planning Tips

Robert Ridge Track Backpacking New Zealand

New Zealand Backpacking & Tramping Planning Guide

A complete guide to backpacking the Mineral King loop in Sequoia National Park including permits, when to go, what to bring, and a full trip report.

Backpacking the Mineral King Loop in Sequoia National Park

Plan your Zion West Rim Trail backpacking trip with this detailed guide that includes info on permits, campsites, gear, and more.

West Rim Trail Backpacking Guide in Zion National Park

6 Easy Colorado 14ers to hike, including Mt. Bierstadt, Grays Peak and Torreys Peak, Mt. Sherman, Handies Peak, and Mount of the Holy Cross.

6 Easy Colorado 14ers for Your First Summit

Here are the best section hikes on the John Muir Trail that require less than a week to complete.

Best Section Hikes on the John Muir Trail

Hiking the Zion Narrows is one of the best adventures in Zion National Park. Learn how to get a permit, book a shuttle to the start & more.

Hiking the Zion Narrows: A Complete Guide

This guide to backpacking the South Coast Trail in Olympic National Park will prepare you for an epic beach backpacking trip in Washington.

Olympic National Park Beach Backpacking: South Coast Trail Guide

This complete Paria Canyon backpacking guide covers permits, camping, maps, gear, and more to prepare you for this epic Utah hike.

Paria Canyon Backpacking Guide

This Maine backpacking guide features the Cutler Coast trail, an overnight backpacking trip or day hike along Maine’s Bold Coast.

Maine Backpacking Guide: Hiking the Cutler Coast Trail

The view from the summit of Mt. Whitney the tallest mountain in the Lower 48

Best John Muir Trail Maps, Books, Apps, and Resources

A view of the sun setting from Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Best Hikes in Utah: 20 Epic Trails – MAPPED!

A woman smiles hiking on the John Muir Trail

How to Apply for a Southbound John Muir Trail Permit in 2025

Views out over turquoise-colored lake O'Hare in the Canadian Rockies of Yoho National Park

A Complete Guide to Camping & Hiking at Lake O’Hara

Get all the info you need for backpacking the San Jacinto Peak Loop Trail, the most scenic route to summit San Jacinto Peak.

Backpacking Guide: Hiking the San Jacinto Peak Loop Trail

Plan the best backpacking trip to Baxter State Park in Maine that includes hiking Mt Katahdin and Knife Edge with this guide.

Backpacking Mt. Katahdin & Knife Edge in Baxter State Park, Maine

Backpacker stopped on trail to look out over alpine lake view in the Sawtooth Mountains on a backpacking trip to Baron Lake

Trail Guide: Backpacking to Baron Lakes in Idaho from Redfish Lake

Hiking the W Trek in Torres Del Paine, Patagonia: Itinerary, Gear & Camping Tips

Hiking the W Trek in Torres Del Paine, Patagonia: Itinerary, Gear & Camping Tips

Woman carrying heavy backpacking pack looking out at mountain views from the Carter Ledge Loop in New Hampshire

Backpacking the Carter Ledge Loop in New Hampshire

Plan an epic Yosemite backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne with our trail guide containing info on permits, transportation & more.

Backpacking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Trail in Yosemite

The third Bearfoot Theory group tour is in the books. Explore Lake Clark National Park, one of the most remote parks in the country in this review of my 10-day backpacking trip with Alaska Alpine Adventures.

Backpacking in Lake Clark National Park with Alaska Alpine Adventures

Check out our detailed backpacking guide for exploring Coyote Gulch in Utah. Our guide includes information on gear, campsites, permits & trailheads.

Coyote Gulch Backpacking Guide

Suspension bridge over a rocky riverbed on the Copland Track in New Zealand

Backpacking the Copland Track in New Zealand

Two tents set up in campsite next to Joshua Tree with sky turning pink and purple at sunset or sunrise

Joshua Tree Backpacking: The California Hiking & Riding Trail

Planning your Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Logistics Guide

Planning your Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Logistics Guide

Scenic landscape photo out over a lakes basin from Bishop Pass Trail in the Eastern Sierra of California

Bishop Pass to Dusy Basin Backpacking Guide

Woman sitting on summit of Mount Timpanogos in Utah shortly after sunrise

Mount Timpanogos Hiking Guide via the Timpooneke Trail

Backpacking to Salt Lake City’s Red Pine Lake

Backpacking to Salt Lake City’s Red Pine Lake